Inflatable packaging with apertures

Abstract

An inflatable packaging element is disclosed herein. The inflatable packaging element includes a first film ply and second film ply overlayed on the first ply, and a seal pattern. The seal pattern has a plurality of seals sealing the first and second plies to each other to define an inflation chamber between the first and second plies. The inflation chamber is inflatable with and configured to contain a fluid. An aperture extends through at least one of the first or second ply, and the seal pattern separates opposite side of the aperture from the inflation chamber.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An inflatable packaging element, comprising:
 a first film ply and second film ply overlayed on the first ply to form a first wall; 
 a seal pattern comprising a plurality of seals sealing the first and second plies to each other to define a plurality of inflation chambers between the first and second plies, each of the inflation chambers being sealed from each other and inflatable with and configured to contain a fluid; and 
 a second wall connected to the first wall on at least three sides of each wall to define a bag having a bag interior; 
 wherein the plurality of seals includes a first aperture seal that surrounds an aperture that extends through at least one of the first and second plies adjacent at least a first of the chambers, the aperture seal sealing the at least one first chamber from the aperture, and the aperture seal protruding into the first chamber such that the aperture seal extends around opposite sides of the aperture within the first chamber. 
 
     
     
       2. The inflatable packaging element of  claim 1 , wherein the aperture seal encloses a region in which the first and second plies are unattached from one another, and wherein the aperture is located in the unattached region. 
     
     
       3. The inflatable packaging element of  claim 1 , wherein the aperture extends through both the first and second plies. 
     
     
       4. The inflatable packaging element of  claim 3 , wherein the aperture comprises:
 a first aperture that extends through the first ply, and 
 a second aperture that extends through the second ply and that is aligned with the first aperture. 
 
     
     
       5. The inflatable packaging element of  claim 1 , wherein the aperture is proximate a region of the plies that experiences elevated stress, and the aperture is configured to reduce stress at the aperture seal. 
     
     
       6. The inflatable packaging element of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of seals includes a second aperture seal that is entirely contained within at least one of the plurality of inflation chambers. 
     
     
       7. The inflatable packaging element of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the aperture seal has first and second opposite sides, 
 the plurality of inflation chambers includes first and second inflation chambers, and 
 the first side of the aperture seal protrudes into the first inflation chamber and the second side of the aperture seal protrudes into the second inflation chamber. 
 
     
     
       8. The inflatable packaging element of  claim 1 , wherein the aperture seal is formed using an adhesive. 
     
     
       9. The inflatable packaging element of  claim 1 , wherein the aperture comprises a plurality of apertures, and wherein the plurality of seals surround each aperture of the plurality of apertures. 
     
     
       10. The inflatable packaging element of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second film plies form a continuous wall, and wherein the first wall and the second wall are formed by folding the continuous wall in a c-fold. 
     
     
       11. The inflatable packaging element of  claim 1 , wherein the first wall comprises an access panel, the access panel being separable from a remainder of the first wall to provide access to the bag interior. 
     
     
       12. The inflatable packaging element of  claim 1 , wherein the seal pattern defines an inflation region that is fluidly connected to the plurality of inflation chambers to inflate the inflation chambers. 
     
     
       13. The inflatable packaging element of  claim 12 , wherein the inflation region is a channel having an enclosed periphery. 
     
     
       14. The inflatable packaging element of  claim 12 , wherein the inflation region extends longitudinally along the plies and the seal defining the inflation chamber extends generally transversely across the plies. 
     
     
       15. The inflatable packaging element of  claim 1 , wherein the aperture seal protrudes into a second chambers. 
     
     
       16. The inflatable packaging element of  claim 1 , wherein the aperture seal extends around the aperture between the first chamber and an adjacent chamber. 
     
     
       17. The inflatable packaging element of  claim 1 , wherein the fourth side of each of the first wall and the second wall is detached from the other allowing access to the bag interior. 
     
     
       18. An inflatable packaging element, comprising:
 a first film ply and second film ply overlayed on the first ply; and 
 a seal pattern comprising a plurality of seals sealing the first and second plies to each other to define a plurality of inflation chambers between the first and second plies, each of the inflation chambers being inflatable with and configured to contain a fluid; and 
 a region of weakness extending across the film plies between some of the chambers, the region of weakness configured to propagate tearing along the region of weakness to facilitate separation of portions of the plies, 
 wherein an aperture extends through at least one of the first and second plies, and is disposed outside the region of weakness. 
 
     
     
       19. The inflatable packaging element of  claim 18 , wherein an aperture seal extends between two adjacent chambers and around the aperture. 
     
     
       20. The inflatable packaging element of  claim 18 , wherein the aperture is surrounded by a seal that limits or prevents the propagation of tearing along the plies. 
     
     
       21. The inflatable packaging element of  claim 18 , wherein the region of weakness includes a line of perforations. 
     
     
       22. An inflatable packaging element, comprising:
 a first film ply and second film ply overlayed on the first ply; and 
 a seal pattern comprising a plurality of seals sealing the first and second plies to each other to define a plurality of inflation chambers between the first and second plies, each of the inflation chambers being inflatable with and configured to contain a fluid, the seals defining an elongated area that is sealed off from and defines boundaries of the chambers on opposite sides thereof, the elongated area having a variable width, as measured across the elongated area between the boundaries of the chambers and the elongated area, such that the elongated area includes a wider portion and a narrower portion; 
 wherein the wider portion of the elongated area surrounds an aperture that extends through at least one of the first and second plies. 
 
     
     
       23. The inflatable packaging element of  claim 22 , wherein the aperture extends through both the first and second plies. 
     
     
       24. The inflatable packaging element of  claim 22 , wherein the wider portion encloses a portion of the plies sealed off from the chamber with a seal and the aperture is spaced apart from the seal such that it is surrounded by the portion of the plies. 
     
     
       25. The inflatable packaging element of  claim 22 , further comprising an inflation region that extends longitudinally along the plies and is in fluid communication with the chambers to direct the fluid into the chambers, wherein the elongated area extends transversely with respect to the inflation region. 
     
     
       26. The inflatable packaging element of  claim 25 , wherein the inflation region comprises a longitudinal inflation channel in fluid communication with the chambers oriented in a transverse direction. 
     
     
       27. The inflatable packaging element of  claim 22 , wherein the narrower portion extends from the wider portion. 
     
     
       28. The inflatable packaging element of  claim 22 , wherein the elongated area has at least two wider portions separated by and contiguous with the narrower portion.